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Russia chooses Ukrainian singer for Eurovision

The 21-year-old Anastasia Prikhodko from Ukraine is to sing for Russia during the May Eurovision contest in Moscow. She had earlier been refused to represent Ukraine. The relation between both countries are tensed since the recent "gas war".

AFP - Ukrainian singer Anastasia Prikhodko will represent Russia at the Eurovision music contest in Moscow this May after receiving Saturday the most votes from Russian television viewers.

The 21-year-old singer, who won the 2007 edition of Russia's version of Star Academy, was confirmed as the winner by a professional jury for her song "Mama" in Russian and Ukrainian.

Prikhodko had tried to represent Ukraine at the May 16 contest in Moscow, but was disqualified for violating regulations. She was admitted to the Russian qualification contest only shortly before the final round on Saturday.

Relations between Russia and Ukraine have been strained for several years, with a new "gas war" at the beginning of the year when Moscow turned off natural gas supplies for two weeks over a payment dispute, triggering supply shortfalls to Europe.